MedWetCoast REGIONAL TECHNICAL SEMINAR National Strategies and Policies for Wetlands Beirut, Lebanon, 16‐18 February 2004

Preparation of the Spanish Strategic Plan for  the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands José Ramón Picatoste Ruggeroni

http://www.mma.es [email protected]

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

National framework of the Spanish Wetland Strategy COMPETENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY DISTRIBUTION IN SPAIN A high degree of decentralization of Nature Conservation in 17 regions NATIONAL LEGAL AND STRATEGIC INSTRUMENTS 29/85 Water Act Act 4/89 on Conservation of Natural Areas and of Wild Flora and Fauna The Coast Act 22/88 Spanish Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity White Paper on Water Bird and Habitat Directives and the Nature 2000 Network (EU) NATIONAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES Sector Conference on Environment National Commission for the Protection of Nature >> National Wetlands Committee Advisory Council for the Environment

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

The strategic framework of the Spanish Wetland Strategy (I) • Spanish Strategy for

the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity (1998):

¾ Consultative and participative process of elaboration (6 sectorial working groups: Central, Regional and Local  Administration, NGOs, research community, other stakeholders) ¾ Involved: ‐ National Commission for the Protection of Nature ‐ Advisory Council for the Environment

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

The strategic framework of the Spanish Wetland Strategy (II) •Two phases in the process of elaboration of the Spanish Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity:

PHASE 1

EU Coordination

Technical Coordination

Working drafts 1…n

WG 1 CA

WG 2 CCAA

WG 3 AL

WG 4 NGO

Working drafts 1…n

Phase 2

WG 5 Univers. & Research

WG 6 Social Agents

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

The strategic framework of the Spanish Wetland Strategy (III) •Two phases in the process of elaboration of the Spanish Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity:

PHASE 2 Technical Coordination

Final document

Proposed Strategy

Advisory Council for the Environment

National Commission for Protection of Nature

Approval

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

Process of elaboration of the Spanish Wetland Strategy (I) Process determined by:

4Need for a document to respond both to the international

commitments and to the variety of criteria of the regional and social Spanish plurality

4Need for the development of the Spanish Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity

4Need for a consensus tool among all the Public Administration and social sectors involved

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

Process of elaboration of the Spanish Wetland Strategy (II) Institution involved Central Administration Regional Administrations regional consult processes nested Local Administrations Ramsar Bureau National NGOs Research community

External team, budget and timetable national public request for tenders (120.000 €) 2 years

Dynamic of consultation / participation

4 expert team with:

‐ Principal Coordinator: Wetland Committee

‐ Deep knowledge on wetlands and Ramsar issues

‐ Several cycles of drafting / consultations ‐ Approved by National Commission for Protection of Nature

‐ Deep knowledge on national reality

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Participation and co -ordination co-ordination Conservation Sustainable use Education and research Developing regulations and financial aspect

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

CONSERVATION INSTRUMENTS Social Instruments

Scientific instruments Institutional and legislative instruments

Economic instruments

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

STRATEGIC PLAN The Strategic Plan is organized in 10 general objectives, forming an integrated framework that is implemented via operational objectives

10 General objectives

General actions Operatives objectives

Local actions Sector policy guidelines

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

STRATEGIC PLAN General Objective 1 Increase knowledge about wetlands at all levels General Objective 2 Make all society aware of wetlands values and functions

General Objective 3 Give legal protection to all wetlands and reinforce the relevant legal frameworks

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

STRATEGIC PLAN General Objective 4 Reinforce the capacity of institutions, organizations and bodies in order to achive conservation and wise use of wetlands General Objective 5 Guarantee that all wetlands are managed effectively and in an integrated way, particularly those that are legally protected General Objective 6 Reinforce co-operation between public and private bodies, including local bodies and the private sector

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

STRATEGIC PLAN General Objective 7 Mobilise financial assistance for the conservation and wise use of wetlands provided the actions agree with the objectives of the Strategic Plan

General Objective 8 Guarantee effective compliance with the Spanish State’s international commitments as regards European and international conventions, agreements, directives and policies related to wetlands, and promote international collaboration

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

STRATEGIC PLAN General Objective 9 Disseminate the Strategic Plan and achieve the support of the greatest possible number of institutions and bodies, both public and private, as well as their commitment to its effective implementation

General Objective 10 Ensure the development, application, monitoring and evaluation of the Strategic Plan

Spanish Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands

Conclusions STRONG POINTS - Document of consensus - Dynamic of work consolidated - Strong background in technical team assistance - Example for the implementation of SSCSUBD - Big coherence with Ramsar Strategy 1997-2002 WEAK POINTS - Lack of strong final legal support

MedWetCoast REGIONAL TECHNICAL SEMINAR National Strategies and Policies for Wetlands Beirut, Lebanon, 16‐18 February 2004

Preparation of the Spanish Strategic Plan for  the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands José Ramón Picatoste Ruggeroni

http://www.mma.es [email protected]